Woops. Looks like I went on another long hiatus unannounced? At least this one wasn’t a year and a half long? I apologize, friends. I know I disappointed a lot of people last time and I’m sure I did it again. I was depressed and shit and blah blah whatever.

Hopefully I can get back into blogging here within the next few weeks. Really, I just wanted to let you guys know about this research paper I’m working on. I just transfered to the University of Colorado at Boulder and I’m taking one of those ridiculous 3-week courses. On the plus side, though, the class is Japanese Pop Culture. Man, I am learning so much.

But anyway. My research paper. I’m writing it on idols. Particularly, AKB48 and Morning Musume. Even more particularly, the marketing of these groups towards each male and female fans, both positively and negatively. I’ve read just about all the scholarship on idols and idol culture at this point. Seriously, I’ve just learned so much that has shed so much light on issues that I’ve seen us in the English-speaking wotasphere struggle with so long. We’re taking our Western ideas out of context with a very, very Japanese ideal. It’s made me reconsider a lot of the things that have sent us all up in arms over the years but seemingly not the Japanese wota.

To keep you interested, I am using Wota in Translation as a primary source. My professor absolutely loves it. Henkka, you will be sourced in my research paper.

Anyway again. I can’t wait to share with you some of what I write (though not all if it unless somehow I get kicked out of school for plagiarizing myself–I’m definitely waiting until I get my final grade). I know a lot of you will be like “WOAH. THIS IS SO INTERESTING.” as I was. Also, I’m a great academic writer (better than this informal shit if you can believe it </sarcasm>). I won’t be able to un-realize all that I’ve realized doing my research, either, so my blogging might have a fundamentally different outlook that it did before.

That said, I still cannot fathom for the life of me either why Tanaka Reina was so popular or why she was considered the perfect Morning Musume member.

Like this:

My favorite electropop group, Perfume, just released a PV for “FAKE IT,” the b-side off of the Nee single released almost two years ago. I’m not 100% sure why this is just being released now, but check it out!

Like this:

At AKB48’s first day of a 3-day concert at Tokyo Dome, the manager of the Theater supposedly shocked everyone, including the members, by announcing the second AKB48 Team Shuffle. Last time we had a shuffle, it really wasn’t such a huge deal because there weren’t any spin-off/sister groups, nor were there any graduations involved, nor were any of my favorites being shifted around. I’m a bit grumpy about the changes we’re seeing. Read the rest of this entry »

These girls are like a good wine, they just keep getting better and better over time. They’re no Berryz, but compared to a year or two ago, this is such a great improvement! For the most part, I really love this PV! Read the rest of this entry »

Rant with Friends:

Like this:

The PV for Berryz Koubou’s 29th single was just released, “cha cha SING!” I wasn’t sure what to expect when the title of the single was announced, but it definitely wasn’t an Indian-infused track. I’m sure this is culturally offensive somewhere to use in a pop song, but everything screams Hindu culture in this video, from the obvious of the sound and the outfits down to the vibrant colours and structure of the set. Man, Berryz has done it again. They have to be Tsunku’s favorites, because their music is seriously always the best. Check out the PV for “cha cha SING” below!

Rant with Friends:

Like this:

I can’t remember if I’ve talked about Kikkawa You’s solo works before here. For those of you who don’t know, she started out as a Hello! Project trainee after being turned down for the Morning Musume Generation 8 auditions. She participated in Milky Way with Kusumi Koharu for a while and now is signed under Universal Records as a solo artist. Which, I should mention, have been absolutely phenomenal so far. But her newest single, “Koko Kara Hajimrunda,” has to be her best yet.